If I'm not mistaken, the neutral switch takes power off the same circuit that goes to the sidestand safety switch, so I'd start there. They're both powered by a relay but I don't know where the relay is on your bike.

Start by grounding out the wire on the Neutral switch, it should turn the light on and allow the bike to start. (knowing this there is no fear of being stranded)The neutral switch is sometimes as simple as a brass contact that makes with a bump on the shift drum, yours might have a sprung loaded arrangement but still very simple.

As KR says, it may be nothing more than a loose/corroded connection at the neutral switch itself. Those switches are known to fail, so it *may* be the switch. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes to find out.

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Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal

02 Scura RC87 AeroLario79 G595 Skorpion tour

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.' - Bertrand Russell

I'm taking them one by one. Relays are easiest so I replaced and not the solution.

Neutral switch is next. Being a bling'd EV-T it has the chrome cover hiding the switch and aggravating me. Can't figure how to get it off to gain access. Is there a method? Right now it's fiddle, cuss, beer, repeat. There has to be something I'm doing wrong, what?

I'm taking them one by one. Relays are easiest so I replaced and not the solution.

Neutral switch is next. Being a bling'd EV-T it has the chrome cover hiding the switch and aggravating me. Can't figure how to get it off to gain access. Is there a method? Right now it's fiddle, cuss, beer, repeat. There has to be something I'm doing wrong, what?

Thanks.

Walt

The bling cover is held on with a spring clip, but to get it off the starter needs taken off the bell housing. I don't recall for sure, but I think you can just rotate it enough to remove the cover. If you elect to attempt this without disconnecting the battery, take care not to ground out the big wire on attached to the starter.

I had to pull the one on my 03 EV in a rainstorm on a mountain road, it was a royal pain to get off but eventually it does come loose. Then the problem turned out to be the sidestand switch, which is much easier to get at. I cut the wire to the sidestand switch where it runs up the frame on the front left side, spliced the wires together and haven't had any problems in the 10 years since doing that. Good luck!

I had to pull the one on my 03 EV in a rainstorm on a mountain road, it was a royal pain to get off but eventually it does come loose. Then the problem turned out to be the sidestand switch, which is much easier to get at. I cut the wire to the sidestand switch where it runs up the frame on the front left side, spliced the wires together and haven't had any problems in the 10 years since doing that. Good luck!

A couple rides ago, everything worked as it should. When parking I put it in to neutral, the light came on and light came on and when I put the sidestand down it didn't kill the engine. As I said - this is intermittent and frustrating. My biggest fear is being stranded along the road somewhere remote.

I've rotated the bling cover enough to be able to wiggle the connection to the neutral switch - same issues remain.

Stu's post made me thing that I may be looking in the wrong area. Does the sidestand switch affect whether the neutral light will come on?

I'm totally intimidated by the electrical stuff and appreciate the help and suggestions from the WG community - thank you all.

A couple rides ago, everything worked as it should. When parking I put it in to neutral, the light came on and light came on and when I put the sidestand down it didn't kill the engine. As I said - this is intermittent and frustrating. My biggest fear is being stranded along the road somewhere remote.

I've rotated the bling cover enough to be able to wiggle the connection to the neutral switch - same issues remain.

Stu's post made me thing that I may be looking in the wrong area. Does the sidestand switch affect whether the neutral light will come on?

I'm totally intimidated by the electrical stuff and appreciate the help and suggestions from the WG community - thank you all.

Walt

The neutral and side stand are wired in parallel, they can easily be bypassed if they fail. When I had an EV I sketched out a simple drawing that showed where all the wires connect to the relays, if I knew exactly which schematic I could do one for you.

The neutral and side stand are wired in parallel, they can easily be bypassed if they fail. When I had an EV I sketched out a simple drawing that showed where all the wires connect to the relays, if I knew exactly which schematic I could do one for you.

A couple rides ago, everything worked as it should. When parking I put it in to neutral, the light came on and light came on and when I put the sidestand down it didn't kill the engine. As I said - this is intermittent and frustrating. My biggest fear is being stranded along the road somewhere remote.

I've rotated the bling cover enough to be able to wiggle the connection to the neutral switch - same issues remain.

Stu's post made me thing that I may be looking in the wrong area. Does the sidestand switch affect whether the neutral light will come on?

I'm totally intimidated by the electrical stuff and appreciate the help and suggestions from the WG community - thank you all.

Walt

I've seen that style switch fail. Not real cheap for what it is. I THINK your 2003 has the new style switch. Screw it out, and try to clean it. And of course make sure the connector is tight.

It is wired so the sidestand switch does NOT turn on the light. But the neutral switch does allow the sidestand to go out with the motor running. There is a diode between the neutral switch and the sidestand if I recall.

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I've seen that style switch fail. Not real cheap for what it is. I THINK your 2003 has the new style switch. Screw it out, and try to clean it. And of course make sure the connector is tight.

It is wired so the sidestand switch does NOT turn on the light. But the neutral switch does allow the sidestand to go out with the motor running. There is a diode between the neutral switch and the sidestand if I recall.

Thanks all! The issue is solved. As Wayne instructed, I took the neutral switch out and cleaned it - better, but still intermittent issues - a buddy had a new one on his shelf and I snagged it. It's in and it's all systems go. In the process I took the opportunity to clean and vaseline the contacts on the fuse/relay panel and any other electrical area that I came across.

I appreciate everybody's input - there is education in each response and I learned a bit more about the bike and how things work and relate. Hopefully, I will remember the solutions and suggestions when it fails in another 53,000 miles.